“I appreciate Administrator Jackson taking time to meet with me today and hear the concerns of millions of Floridians and tens of millions of Americans. The EPA, like many federal agencies, has taken the broad authority irresponsibly ceded to them by Congress, and run wild with it. Their decisions on Numeric Nutrient Water Criteria and radiation flyovers will impact every Floridian in thousands of dollars a year in new costs and potentially devastating effects on an already depressed housing market.

Congressman Ross continued, “I reiterated my belief that bowing to a lawsuit by a radical environmental group and singling out Florida with the Numeric Nutrient Water Criteria was unacceptable and that our delegation remains committed to allowing the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to protect Florida’s waters. In addition, I made clear that decades of study, from industry to University, show that radiation levels at mining sites in central Florida contain less radiation than living in the suburbs of Denver, and that any radiation monitoring must be done with agreed upon benchmarks based on accepted scientific standards.”

Regarding commitments made by secretary Jackson at the meeting, Congressman Ross stated, “I do appreciate the commitments EPA made at this meeting. EPAs commitment to conduct no future radiation flyovers was a giant step in the right direction. The commitment to transparency with all parties when it comes to the data collected will also benefit all the parties involved. In addition, EPAs commitment to work with industry, from Agriculture to Phosphate, as well as with the Florida DEP, is something I believe will alleviate many of EPAs concerns.

In conclusion, Congressman Ross said, “Lastly, EPA must understand that its regulations economically impact real families and real people. In tough economic times, they must realize that moms and dads cannot afford thousands more in power bills or plummeting home values. They must also realize that in tough budgetary times, agencies or departments working against the interests of the American family will be the first to go.”

Dennis Ross, son of Bill and Loyola Ross, was born in 1959 and raised in Lakeland, Florida. He graduated from Auburn University and the Cumberland School of Law at Sanford University. He has served as in-house counsel to the Walt Disney Company and as an associate of the law firm of Holland & Knight. He previously served in the Florida Legislature from 2000 until being term limited in 2008. Dennis and his wife, Cindy Hartley, were married in 1983 and have two sons, Shane and Travis.

In the 112th Congress, Dennis will serve on the Committee on Oversight & Government Reform (Chairman of the Federal Workforce, Postal Service & Labor Policy Subcommittee) as well as the Education & the Workforce and Judiciary Committees.